Meeting Summary
Present: Gilman, Lang, Rule, Whitman
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At a glance
Closed Session and Agenda Reorganization
- The Council directed staff on selecting representatives for ongoing litigation mediation without taking reportable action.
- Items regarding Habitat for Humanity negotiations and a Council member indemnity request were continued to a special closed session.
- The agenda order was revised to prioritize public hearings and time-sensitive items before other business.
- The Cabin Village cost model item was removed from the current agenda and re-noticed for a future special meeting.
Windstorm Response and Goal Setting
- Staff reported on emergency response efforts including clearing rights-of-way and coordinating green waste disposal.
- The Council was advised to incorporate emergency preparedness and fire hardening into the upcoming February 25 goal-setting session.
- A community survey was proposed to gather input on priorities such as warning sirens, evacuation planning, and native plant education.
Board and Committee Appointments
- Staff presented an annual list of 14 regional boards and committees requiring city representation.
- The Council assigned representatives and alternates to entities including the Water Litigation Mediation and various county boards.
- A motion was passed to approve all proposed appointments and assignments for the listed organizations.
Well Permit Application (300 Longhorn Lane)
- Staff presented a report on a residential well permit application approved by the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency.
- Council Member Whitman raised concerns about jurisdictional overlap and requested a future report on the city's regulatory role.
- The Council approved the well permit after confirming the projected usage would not impact groundwater sustainability.
Capri Hotel Planning Commission Appeal
- Staff recommended upholding the Planning Commission's decision with added conditions regarding parking management and monitoring.
- Public comment addressed the enforceability of conditions and suggested automated sound decibel recording meters.
- The Council adopted a resolution upholding the Planning Commission's decision after a proposed amendment for decibel readers was withdrawn.
Winery Project Planning Commission Appeal
- Council Member Rule moved to proceed with a Council review of the Planning Commission's decision on the winery project.
- The motion failed due to a lack of a second, resulting in the closure of the item without further Council review.
Help of Ojai Professional Services Agreement
- Staff requested approval for a one-year agreement with Help of Ojai to provide case managers for the Cabin Village project.
- Public comment expressed support for the agreement while raising concerns about long-term funding and county participation.
- The Council passed a motion to accept the professional services agreement as presented.
Building Energy Code Ordinance (FlexPath Approach)
- Staff presented a proposed ordinance using a points-based "FlexPath" mechanism for building energy codes with specific exemptions.
- Initial motions to approve the first reading failed due to debates over community engagement and fire hardening priorities.
- The Council passed a revised motion to solicit further community feedback and return to the item after the goal-setting session.
Agenda Rescheduling and Future Items
- The Council decided to move the motorcycle officer item and cost model discussion to the meeting on the fourth of the month.
- Members were advised to wait until the goal-setting session to finalize new agenda items.
- A suggestion was made to direct staff to work with the Fire Safe Council on a proposal based on the wildfire protection plan.
Council Member Reports
- Council Member Lang expressed appreciation for the inclusion of fire information in meeting materials.
- Council Member Whitman reported on Air Force hearings regarding SpaceX sonic booms potentially damaging local homes.
Closed Session
- The meeting began with a report on a closed session regarding existing litigation and other matters.
- No reportable action was taken during the initial closed session portion of the meeting.
Full summary
Closed Session and Agenda Reorganization
- The meeting began with a report on a closed session regarding existing litigation (Santa Barbara Channel Keeper v. State Water Resources Control Board and City of Santa Barbara v. Abbott) and other matters. The Council provided direction to staff regarding the selection of city representatives for ongoing mediation discussions but took no reportable action. Items 1 (Habitat for Humanity site real property negotiations) and 3 (indemnity request by Council Member Rule regarding Byrne v. Rule litigation) were continued to a special closed session scheduled for February 4 at 6:00 p.m.
- Upon reconvening in open session, the Council addressed the order of the agenda. Staff recommended prioritizing time-sensitive items, including public hearings, the professional services agreement with Help of Ojai, the energy efficiency ordinance, and the Cabin Village call for review. A motion was made to approve a revised agenda order, moving public hearings to the top, followed by the Cabin Village call for review, the Help of Ojai agreement, the energy efficiency ordinance, the motorcycle officer item, and the Cabin Village cost model. The motion was seconded and passed. Subsequently, a motion was made to remove the Cabin Village cost model from the current agenda and re-notice it for the special meeting on February 4, citing the likelihood that the item would not be reached. This motion was seconded and passed.
Staff Presentation: Windstorm Response and Goal Setting
- City Manager Ben Harvey presented on the city's response to a recent windstorm, detailing efforts to clear public rights-of-way, coordinate with emergency services and Edison, and establish community green waste dumpsters. The presentation highlighted the need to incorporate emergency preparedness and fire hardening into the Council's upcoming goal-setting session on February 25. Staff proposed a community survey to gather input on priorities, including community warning sirens, evacuation planning, home fire hardening legislation, neighborhood watch programs, and native plant education.
Public Communications
- The Council received public comments on various topics, including Public Works response, public records requests, the Cabin Village/Tent Town site selection, City Hall tree hazards, creek and tree protection, and community events. Speakers regarding the Cabin Village site expressed both support for the project as a housing solution and opposition based on concerns regarding proximity to residential areas, environmental assessments, and safety.
Consent Calendar
- The Council reviewed the Consent Calendar. A correction was noted regarding the scheduling of council breaks, where a typo listed the year as 2025 instead of 2026. A motion was made to modify the break schedule to include a one-week break in July and a one-week break in December, rather than the originally scheduled six-week breaks, while retaining August and January dates subject to review 90 days prior. The motion was seconded and passed. Following this modification, a motion was made to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar items (Items A through J). The motion was seconded and passed.
Selection of Council Representatives to Local, County, and Regional Boards
- Staff presented an annual list of 14 regional boards and committees requiring council representation. The Council discussed and assigned representatives and alternates for various entities, including the Chamber of Commerce, Water Litigation Mediation, Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, Clean Power Alliance, Ventura County Animal Services Commission Board, Economic Development Collaborative, Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency Board, Gold Coast Transit District Board, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Ventura County Transportation Commission Board, Ventura Regional Sanitation District Board, Ojai Valley Sanitary District, Ojai Valley Green Coalition, Ojai Unified School District, and the City of Ojai Audit and Budget Committee. A motion was made to approve all appointments and assignments. The motion was seconded and passed.
Well Permit Application Approval for 300 Longhorn Lane
- Staff presented a report regarding a well permit application for a residential domestic water supply well at 300 Longhorn Lane. The applicant requires a new well following the sale of an adjoining property. The application has been approved by the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency (OBGMA) and the County. Council Member Whitman expressed concern regarding jurisdictional overlap and requested a future report on whether the City should surrender this regulatory role. He also questioned the projected usage of three acre-feet. Staff confirmed that OBGMA determined the projection would not impact groundwater sustainability. The public hearing was opened, and no public comments were received. A motion was made to approve the well permit. The motion was seconded and passed.
Appeal of Planning Commission Decision (Capri Hotel/1216 East Ojai Avenue)
- Staff presented a report on an appeal of a Planning Commission decision regarding a design review permit and conditional use permit for outdoor events at the Capri Hotel, including off-site parking. Staff reported that a meeting was held to address concerns regarding events, noise, and parking, resulting in two additional conditions: an event coordinator must ensure the front portion of overflow parking is filled first, and hotel staff must monitor parking impacts during the first event. Staff recommended upholding the Planning Commission's determination with these added conditions. Public comment was received regarding the enforceability of conditions and the recommendation of automated sound decibel recording meters. A motion was made to adopt a resolution upholding the Planning Commission's decision. The motion was seconded. Discussion ensued regarding a proposed amendment to require the permittee to maintain a decibel reader; the amendment was withdrawn. The motion was put to a vote and passed.
Appeal of Planning Commission Decision (Winery Project)
- Council Member Rule requested a discussion on whether the City Council should appeal the Planning Commission's decision on a winery project, citing concerns regarding traffic impact analysis, easements for golf carts, aesthetic precedent, and piecemeal development. Public comment was received urging the Council to review the project as a whole body. Staff clarified that the decision at this stage was limited to determining whether the matter was worthy of Council review. Council Member Rule made a motion to proceed with a Council review of the Planning Commission's decision. No second was offered. The motion failed, and the item was closed.
Professional Services Agreement for Case Management Services with Help of Ojai
- Staff presented a request to approve a professional services agreement with Help of Ojai to provide two case managers for the Cabin Village project, funded by a $12.7 million Emergency Rental Assistance (ERF) grant. The agreement is for a one-year term with the possibility of extensions. Public comment was received in support of the agreement, with suggestions for future caseworker additions and quarterly reviews. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of County participation and long-term funding sustainability. Staff and a representative from Help of Ojai clarified that the agreement is for immediate case management services for the current encampment population, independent of future construction. A motion was made to accept the Professional Services Agreement as presented. The motion was seconded and passed.
First Reading of Building Energy Code Ordinance (FlexPath Approach)
- Staff presented a detailed overview of a proposed ordinance implementing a "FlexPath" approach to building energy codes, utilizing a points-based mechanism for projects exceeding specific square footage thresholds. The presentation outlined exemptions, including repairs, historic buildings, seismic retrofits, fire hardening, and projects where compliance costs exceed 20% of the total project cost. Public comments were received expressing both support for addressing climate change and opposition regarding overreach and housing costs. Council members debated the necessity of further community engagement versus moving forward, with significant discussion on prioritizing fire hardening versus energy efficiency.
- A motion was made to approve the first reading of the ordinance and schedule a second reading hearing in 45 days. The motion was amended to extend the timeline from 30 to 45 days. The motion failed. A subsequent motion was made to work with staff to solicit further community feedback and return to the item after the goal-setting period with a more refined ordinance. A friendly amendment was added to include a specific inquiry to the public regarding the prioritization of fire hardening versus energy efficiency mandates. The motion was amended to delete language regarding "priority questions," resulting in a revised motion to work with staff to solicit community input for feedback and return after the goal-setting session. The amended motion was moved, seconded, and passed.
Agenda Rescheduling and Future Items
- The Council discussed rescheduling remaining agenda items. It was decided to move the current Item 4, the traffic motorcycle officer item, and the cost model discussion to the meeting on the fourth of the month. Council members were advised to wait until the goal-setting session to finalize new items. A suggestion was made to direct staff to work with the Fire Safe Council to develop a proposal for services based on the adopted wildfire protection plan.
Council Member Reports
- Council Member Lang noted appreciation for staff inclusion of fire information in meeting materials. Council Member Whitman reported attending recent Air Force hearings regarding SpaceX, noting that sonic booms are causing percussion-type events in Ojai that may be damaging to people and homes.
Adjournment
- A motion to adjourn was made. The meeting was adjourned.